The use pattern of alternative host plants by Maruca vitrata was investigated in southern and central Benin. Among the wild host plants, Pterocarpus santalinoides, Pueraria phaseoloides and Centrosema pubescens were found to be key relay hosts during the long dry season, Lonchocarpus sericeus and L. cyanescens were the most important hosts during the main rainy season, while Tephrosia platycarpa was an essential relay host during the short wet season in between. Cowpea was the major cultivated host plant and can sustain M. vitrata all year round, if available. However, this pest was able to maintain high population levels exclusively on wild hosts without needing to switch to cultivated crops. The relevance of these findings and their implications for the control of M. vitrata are discussed.
